This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site,
while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.

jyuan_usUnited States Local time: 05:34Member (2005) English to Chinese + ...

Aug 7, 2009

A client requested me to layout my translation with InDesign. I usually outsource the DTP jobs to DTP specialists. The client sent me the English version of the native InDegin files and told me that the files were created on the Mac platform. However, my DTP partner told me that InDesign is compatable between Mac and PC. In other words, there will be no difference between a product created on Mac or PC, it doesn't matter if the orginal designer of the English version uses Mac or PC to create the file. But my client told me that we must use Mac to lay out the Chinese text.

There are InDesign versions for MAC and PC and it is true an InDesign file created in a MAC can be opened in a PC and vice-versa. The difference resides in the Fonts (Typefaces) used in the source file, since there are fonts for MAC, fonts for PC and fonts which can be used in both platforms.

I guess font substitution will take place during DTP of the Chinese text since not all fonts accept Chinese characters -check this with the DTPer and your Client as well-. If the fonts your DTPer will use is PC-MAC compatible, there should not be issues when the file is opened on a MAC -your DTP person will have to provide the fonts to your client if he uses different fonts than source.

Keep in mind your client asked to DTP the file on a MAC... So, my advise is to DTP the file on a MAC with the InDesign version your client used to create the source file unless your client agrees otherwise. You can always ask him

Cheers

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

jyuan_usUnited States Local time: 05:34Member (2005) English to Chinese + ...

TOPIC STARTER

You brought peace to my mind

Aug 9, 2009

Veronica Garello wrote:

Hi,

There are InDesign versions for MAC and PC and it is true an InDesign file created in a MAC can be opened in a PC and vice-versa. The difference resides in the Fonts (Typefaces) used in the source file, since there are fonts for MAC, fonts for PC and fonts which can be used in both platforms.

I guess font substitution will take place during DTP of the Chinese text since not all fonts accept Chinese characters -check this with the DTPer and your Client as well-. If the fonts your DTPer will use is PC-MAC compatible, there should not be issues when the file is opened on a MAC -your DTP person will have to provide the fonts to your client if he uses different fonts than source.

Keep in mind your client asked to DTP the file on a MAC... So, my advise is to DTP the file on a MAC with the InDesign version your client used to create the source file unless your client agrees otherwise. You can always ask him

Cheers

Thank you for the detailed explanation. My regular DTPer (DTPer A)has been working with the same version of InDesign on the same platform as the source file uses. Recently I wanted to train a backup DTPer. Every time I sent her a source file, she always said two types of fonts are missing in the source file folder. I simply didn't understand why DTPer A has never had any problem with the source file but DTPer B always has a problem.

After a further discussion, DTPer B said she has no MAC and all she could do is to work on the MAC-created source file on her PC. Probably this is where the problem came from.

You advised me to ask the client if he agrees that the files be worked out on PC other than MAC. I know the answer without asking him: he will not agree with it. He will not run the risk because everything has been going very well the way it is for years, and he doesn't want a change. However, I strongly think that I should have a backup DTPer, but the problem is that I coudn't find another good DTPer who works well with MAC in China.

Therefore, I just want to try DTPer B who has PC only to work on a MAC-created source file, and deliver the file well before the regular deadline. If the client accepts it without questioning me, it means everything is fine. If not, I can get it done again on MAC and still catch the deadline.

Thank you for your thoughtful input and advice again.

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

allways be aware that original types might behave slightly different on the computer that finally is used for the final arts.If you can not work with the original typpes the clients uses, or if you work on PC and the client on Mac, the typesetting might differ slightly.

Thomas

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

Hi, there is no problem in using Indesign MAC or Indesign PC, but sometimes output will be littlebit differ due to some fonts issues like kerning, spacing etc. If will be safe to work on Indesign as it is client requirement. I am working as a freelance multilinfual dtp specialist since 2004 and work on PC and MAC both, sometime I faced problems. Thanks

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

WordFinder is the leading dictionary service that gives you the words you want anywhere, anytime.
Access 260+ dictionaries from the world's leading dictionary publishers in virtually any device.
Find the right word anywhere, anytime - online or offline.